Cruise To Where Fish Are Biting On A Drift Boat Tour

August 28, 1987|By SUZANNE RAMSEY, Special to the News/Sun-Sentinel

Drift fishing, ocean breezes and sunshine are available for a small fee to novice and veteran anglers at four area marinas.

Departing daily at 8 a.m., 1 and 7 p.m. are the Lucky Day, from the Lake Worth Boating Center in Hypoluxo; the Two Georges, from the Two Georges Marina in Boynton Beach; the Sea Mist III, from the Sea Mist Marina, also in Boynton Beach; and the B-Love III, from Sportsman`s Park in Lantana.

Departing on Wednesdays and weekends at 6 a.m. is the Try Me, also from Sportsman`s Park.

All five drift boats, sometimes called ``head boats`` because passengers are charged per person, enter the ocean through the Boynton Inlet.

``Our coastline is the closest point that the Gulf Stream comes to the continental United States,`` said B-Love III and Try Me owner Bill Smith. ``You`re fishing 20 to 25 minutes after you leave the dock. We fish in waters 60 to a few hundred feet deep over the reefs. You`re not far from shore, but that`s where the fish are.``

Finding the fish is no problem for the boat captains, who use modern fish- detection devices.

``We can guarantee that the fish are there,`` Smith said, ``but not that they`re hungry. Fish don`t eat all the time, just like people don`t.``

Most of the captains agree there has been an abundance of dolphin, snapper, grouper and kingfish lately. Lucky Day captain Joe Kalil recently reported a 75-pound cobia and Smith said an 87-pound wahoo was caught.

Fares for the trips -- which vary among the marinas -- include bait, tackle and free instruction for beginners.

All trips last four hours, except for the Try Me ``early-bird`` trip, which lasts six hours.

Tickets go on sale one hour before departure.

Smoking is allowed, but no hard liquor or drugs may be brought aboard any of the boats.